It was one of those trillion-degree August days and the dogs were hot, exhausted and frightened. We got them into our car, took them home, gave them a drink, and called the animal shelter, where employees said no one had reported them missing. My vet's office was due to close in five minutes, but a technician agreed to stay open long enough for me to get there (I love my vet) and scan the dogs for microchips. In all of three seconds, we had a hit -- the technician got the owner's information from the chip embedded between one of the dog's shoulder blades and I was on my way to reunite the very relieved family.

The next morning, I went back to the vet. This time, it was for a microchip for the Labragator. I’d never thought about getting one before, but being able to return my two new yellow friends to their homes so easily made the decision a no-brainer.

This week, lawmakers in England announced that dog owners will be required to microchip their pets by 2016 or face fines of up to $800. They say that about 60 percent of pets in that country are already chipped, but that requiring the devices will take pressure off crowded shelters and help reunite lost pets with their owners.

Many dog rescues and shelters already microchip animals before they're adopted. I'm curious: Is your pet microchipped? How would you feel about that being legislated? Comment below.

Outta the way, pipsqueaks. Big dogs are moving up in the world. The American Kennel Club released its annual list of most popular dog breeds last week and said the biggest trend is the upward mobility of big breeds, which have ousted their pint-sized cousins from some top 10 spots. AKC leaders...

Read about local pets, or share your own story. We're interested in cats and dogs, but also hamsters, hedgehogs, turtles, horses, chickens -- the whole pet gamut. For more information, email pets@baltsun.com and be sure to put "Collared" in the subject line.

La Quinta Inn & Suites opened in Ocean City last November. The hotel is the latest entry representing chains at the beach. It sits in the space once occupied by the Ocean Voyager Motel at 33rd Street and Coastal Highway.

A satellite location of the Humane Society of Harford County called Rescue Me! located in Harford Mall will be closed as of Tuesday after two years of operation -- and nearly 500 cat and kitten adoptions.